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13/06/2003
Blair dissolves Lord Chancellor's post
One of most glaring anomalies in modern British democracy has been removed following Tony Blair's decision to dissolve the 1,400-year-old post of Lord Chancellor.
The new Department for Constitutional Affairs will be headed up by Tony Blair's long-time friend Lord Falconer, who will continue to be known as Lord Chancellor until the reforms are complete.
Britain was unique among modern democracies in maintaining the Lord Chancellorship - a position that ran contrary to the separation of powers within the state. As head of the judiciary, speaker of the upper house of the legislature and with a seat on the Cabinet executive, the Lord Chancellor had influence in all spheres of government.
However, once the reforms are in place, the post of Lord Chancellor will be abolished, putting the relationship between executive, legislature and judiciary on a "modern footing".
Paying tribute to Lord Irvine, the Prime Minister said: "Derry's contribution to the government's programme of devolution and constitutional reform has been outstanding. I respect his wish to retire and pay tribute to all he has achieved."
Pressure had been mounting on Downing Street to reform the role of Lord Chancellor. Derry Irvine's £180,000 a year wage, his penchant for £600 per role Pugin wallpaper, and comparisons he drew between himself and Henry VIII's powerful chancellor, Cardinal Woolsey, also attracted criticism from MPs keen on reform.
The Welsh and Scottish offices will also be absorbed into the newly created ministry. As the department will take in the regional roles – the Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell also leaves government. Former Welsh Minister Peter Hain and Transport Minister Alistair Darling will speak on Welsh and Scottish affairs in the Commons.
The removal of the regional offices has been criticised as Lord Falconer, sitting in the Lords, will not be accountable to the directly elected House of Commons.
Menzies Campbell, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, said: "The concentration of power to an unelected Minister, Lord Falconer, breaches the spirit of Ministerial accountability in the House of Commons. This is in addition to the appointment of Baroness Amos as Secretary of State for International Development.
“It hardly suggests that Cabinet government is going to make a surprise return.”
There will also be new arrangements for judicial appointments and an end to the previous role of the Lord Chancellor as a judge and Speaker of the House of Lords.
Other judiciary reforms include: establishment an independent Judicial Appointments Commission to recommend candidates for appointment as judges; the creation of a new Supreme Court – of which the new Minister will not be a member – to replace the existing system of Law Lords; and reform of the Speakership of the House of Lords.
(GMcG)
The new Department for Constitutional Affairs will be headed up by Tony Blair's long-time friend Lord Falconer, who will continue to be known as Lord Chancellor until the reforms are complete.
Britain was unique among modern democracies in maintaining the Lord Chancellorship - a position that ran contrary to the separation of powers within the state. As head of the judiciary, speaker of the upper house of the legislature and with a seat on the Cabinet executive, the Lord Chancellor had influence in all spheres of government.
However, once the reforms are in place, the post of Lord Chancellor will be abolished, putting the relationship between executive, legislature and judiciary on a "modern footing".
Paying tribute to Lord Irvine, the Prime Minister said: "Derry's contribution to the government's programme of devolution and constitutional reform has been outstanding. I respect his wish to retire and pay tribute to all he has achieved."
Pressure had been mounting on Downing Street to reform the role of Lord Chancellor. Derry Irvine's £180,000 a year wage, his penchant for £600 per role Pugin wallpaper, and comparisons he drew between himself and Henry VIII's powerful chancellor, Cardinal Woolsey, also attracted criticism from MPs keen on reform.
The Welsh and Scottish offices will also be absorbed into the newly created ministry. As the department will take in the regional roles – the Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell also leaves government. Former Welsh Minister Peter Hain and Transport Minister Alistair Darling will speak on Welsh and Scottish affairs in the Commons.
The removal of the regional offices has been criticised as Lord Falconer, sitting in the Lords, will not be accountable to the directly elected House of Commons.
Menzies Campbell, Liberal Democrat Deputy Leader, said: "The concentration of power to an unelected Minister, Lord Falconer, breaches the spirit of Ministerial accountability in the House of Commons. This is in addition to the appointment of Baroness Amos as Secretary of State for International Development.
“It hardly suggests that Cabinet government is going to make a surprise return.”
There will also be new arrangements for judicial appointments and an end to the previous role of the Lord Chancellor as a judge and Speaker of the House of Lords.
Other judiciary reforms include: establishment an independent Judicial Appointments Commission to recommend candidates for appointment as judges; the creation of a new Supreme Court – of which the new Minister will not be a member – to replace the existing system of Law Lords; and reform of the Speakership of the House of Lords.
(GMcG)
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Britain celebrates Trafalgar bicentenary
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
